Impressive Blues win two in a row
Are you wondering whether there is a closer competition anywhere in regional Victoria?
In some leagues, you can already predict the likely makeup of the finals. However, the MGFNL is once again showcasing one of the more competitive, even and enjoyable competitions of them all.
And, then came the rain!
Thorpdale v Hill End
There has not been too many times in recent years that Thorpdale was in a position to make it two wins in a row. But, that’s exactly what was on offer for the Blues on the weekend when they welcomed the visiting Hill End to their home ground.
Thorpdale started the game as warming favourites and deservingly so, with another impressive victory 16.13-109 to Hill End 8.6-54.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said the game got off to a slow start in the first half with his team’s work around the contest.
“Once we tidied up, our contested work and pressure around the ball, our offence flowed from there,” Winderlich said. “Another step forward for the club, with wins in both grades of footy.”
His focus now turns to a “huge test” against top three side Morwell East.
“Another big week of recovery and training is required to give ourselves the best opportunity to compete,” Winderlich added.
Thorpdale has raised the eyebrows of many teams in recent weeks as they make the most of every opportunity.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said lack of consistent effort throughout the game cost the Rovers again.
“We string some impressive passages together but can’t maintain it for any length of time,” Santo said. “Thorpdale wore us down and deserved the win, another tough challenge next week.”
As winter hits and the wins are hard to come by, teams and their personnel are tested both physically and mentally. The Rovers are confronted with those tests right now.
Newborough v Morwell East
The two unbeaten teams of the competition met at the home of the top placed Bulldogs, with plenty of anticipation to how this match would unfold.
The Bulldogs, eager to impress in front of many of their past players, absorbed the pressure from the visiting Hawks and then showcased their superiority with a convincing 59-point win, 15.16-106 to 6.11-47.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner said it was another hard, physical contest in heavy conditions.
“We were focused on starting well and playing four consistent quarters,” Skinner said. “Paul Henry had a team that was prepared to do the same and the game was played hard right to the end.”
“Was very pleased to have no standouts and 21 contributors,” he added.
The East have been very good for the opening month, but now know what the very top of the competition looks like.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said the Bulldogs were very well organised and had excellent skills moving the ball.
“They brought the pressure all day,” Henry said. “I thought we competed well, definitely not our best, but you have to put that down to the way Newborough played. Our skills and decisions just weren’t where they needed to be to win the game.”
“We are disappointed as a group, but we have to accept the loss in order to move forward,” he added.
Mirboo North v MDU
There was always going to be a lot to learn from this clash between fifth placed Mirboo North and fourth positioned MDU.
The Tigers, backing up on their home ground after a “shock” loss to Thorpdale, were expecting the heat early from a confident Demons team, and heat is what they got.
They nonetheless prevailed 9.7-61 to MDU 7.9-51.
Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said 20mm of overnight rain made the ground pretty heavy going.
“We felt like we had control of the game in the first half, but MDU outworked us in the third but didn’t capitalise,” Mongta said. “The last three minutes of the fourth quarter, MDU kicked three quick goals to narrow the margin to 10 points.”
The Demons have been solid but now need to chase down their first away win to keep in touch with the top half dozen sides of the competition.
MDU coach Nathan Allen said the Tigers “outworked and outplayed us on their home deck”.
Yinnar v Tarwin
The Sharks had not forgotten the Magpies kicking them out of last year’s finals race. To that end, they were keen to put on a show to repay the favour on Yinnar’s home ground.
The home team sat third and the visitors six, but with a superior percentage. This meant a Tarwin win would likely have them jump a spot or two up the ladder.
What unfolded, however, was a surprisingly comfortable home ground win for Yinnar, 16.6-102 to 5.6-36.
Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said it was another solid four quarter effort by the lads.
“Intensity and pressure was at a high level all day, which energised the group as the game went on,” Taylor said. “Another team effort right across the board which was the most pleasing thing.”
“Probably fair to say that Tarwin didn’t have a great day,” he added. “They are a good side and I have no doubt they’ll bounce back.”
What was tipped to be one of the matches of round five, certainly did not deliver. The pressure possibly too much for the visiting Sharks.
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said “we weren’t us today”.
“We had a few patches where we could have kicked a few goals and switched the momentum, but we didn’t take that opportunity,” Hemming said. “Yinnar, to their credit, played a great four quarter game.”
“They have great kids and they play with great spirit,” he added.
Fish Creek v Foster
When Fish Creek in eighth met Foster in seventh, the victor was capable of jumping anywhere up to third on the ladder in one pounce.
Both aware of the importance of the encounter, they were desperate to not burn an opportunity to stay in touch with the business end of town.
On the final siren, it was the Kangaroos won a low-scoring encounter 4.10-34 to the Tigers 3.5-23.
“A great Gippsland day of footy, a tough slog and an arm wrestle all day,” Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker reflected. “Pleased to get the win against the old foe.”
Conditions were worse for some teams more so than others. When it’s as tough a slog, every score counts when goals are hard to come by.
“We got outplayed in the terrible match conditions,” Foster coach Sam Davies said. “Horror day actually. Nothing went our way. Two gifted goals in a low-scoring game that couldn’t be explained doesn’t help either,” he added.
Stony Creek v Toora
Two teams working as hard as any in the competition were given the opportunity for a win that would be just reward.
They might have been 11th and 12th on the MGFNL ladder, but the clash was approached by both like a finals spot was on offer.
In the end, the Lions were too strong, winning 11.5-71 to the Magpies 5.3-33.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboom said it was a tough slog in wet, heavy conditions.
“It was a strange game of footy with the umpiring decisions in the third quarter playing a part in swinging the momentum our way,” Verboom said. “We did manage to play some clean footy in patches and use the open side of the ground.”
“I’m sure the Toora boys would agree it was good to hit the showers,” he added.
The Lions were good and Toora tough, but the result was just as important as fundraising taking place off field.
Toora coach Jack Weston said it was a special day to be involved in Stony Creek’s Big Freeze event.
“The footy was a slog all day and, aside from some lapses in concentration, we put in an acceptable performance,” Weston said. “Unfortunately, good players and sides make you pay for these moments. Credit to Chris and Stony Creek for taking their opportunities and putting us away.”
Bye: Boolarra.
Next week’s games:
Hill End v MDU;
Morwell East v Thorpdale; Boolarra v Yinnar;
Foster v Mirboo North; Tarwin v Fish Creek;
Toora v Newborough: Stony Creek bye.